Losing finish to season for Vets

David Griffiths (left) of Lower Hopton watches Pat Cleary of Elland line one up in their Ballcraft Engravers Huddersfield League match at Marsh Utd HUDDERSFIELD Veterans endured a disappointing end to their Yorkshire Inter-district season, losing 34-22 to West Riding.

Sponsored by Bluebird Care Kirklees, Huddersfield were up against a side making a valiant effort to win the title.

They eventually fell just one point short of new champions Bradford.

Peter Kain won the Averages, having played seven with six wins and an average of 4.57, but Alan Bamforth played five and won five and produced a better average of 10.4, but missed out having played only five when six matches are required to qualify.

The Veterans thanked Crosland Moor for the use of their excellent green and for the refreshments.

They also gave a special ‘thank you’ to Graham Lewis of generous sponsors Bluebird Care Kirklees.

Andy Broughton 21 J Glazzard 20, Roger Stopford 19 John Ineson 21, Derek Hewitt 6 Richard Bentley 21, Peter Green 16 R Cleghorn 21, Viv Smith 19 M McGuire 21, Frank Griffin 21 J Green 13, Malcolm Gilbert 5 I Pountney 21, Dave Pollard 12 P Fischer 21. Captain Donald Crowther, manager Tony Emerson. Lost 22-6.

Roy Sutton 19 G Hirst 21, Frank Greenwood (C) 17 L Mitchell 21, Peter Kain 21 J Watson 19, Alan Bamforth 21 G Hird 5, Ron Manning 13 D North 21, Joyn Hoyle 21 M Armitage 17, Graham Brook 21 D Billington 19, Eddie Haigh 20 D Walker 21. Manager David Armitage, referee Mrs J Wrigley. Won 16-12. Overall Score 22-34.

Bradford 240, West Riding 239, Halifax 231, Huddersfield 214, Skipton 185, Leeds 184, Wakefield 155, Castleford 120.

The final of the LD Trophy, sponsored by Atkinson Interiors, will be played on Friday August 25.

The final will be held at Lindley Liberal Club (1.30).

Dress code applies for this event.

P Hunter Lowerhouses 5 v J Portelli Meltham 6, A Lawton Meltham 5 v P Peel Marsden Park 6, F Sykes Paddock I&C 5 v R Sands Marsden Park 6, D Sykes Marsden Park 5 v B Cook Marsden Park 5.

Milnsbridge A used home advantage to good effect in their Section 1 top-table clash with champions Lockwood Con in the Lockwood Windows Veterans League.

A solid 7-2 win means they opened up a fivepoint lead over their main challengers for honours this season.

Clayton West won their 10th successive home game to nudge nearer the top two.

Elland dropped two places to sixth after the only 9-0 scoreline at Cowcliffe, which changed the whole complexion at the foot of the table.

Cowcliffe moved away from the drop zone, leaving Rastrick (home 6-3 losers to Meltham) and Almondbury BC A (6-3 losers at Marsh Utd A) vying to avoid the second relegation place.

Shepley appear doomed and are now 13 points off safety after losing 6-3 at Waterloo A.

In Section 2, leaders Crosland Moor pushed Skel Windmill down to fourth spot after beating them 8-1, but that score was matched by second-placed Thongsbridge at home to Kirkheaton Con.

Clayton West 8 Golcar Lib A 1, Rastrick 3 Meltham A 6, Cowcliffe 9 Elland C&BC A 0, Marsh United A 6 Almondbury BC A 3, Waterloo A 6 Shepley 3, Netherton Con A 6 Lindley Lib A 3, Milnsbridge A 7 Lockwood Con 2.

Broad Oak A 7 Linthwaite Hall 2, Hemplow 6 Lindley BC A 3, Meltham B 7 Thorpe Green 2, Kirkheaton C&BC A 3 Brockholes A 6, Crosland Moor 8 Skel Windmill A 1, Canalside A 7 Primrose Hill Lib A 2, Thongsbridge A 8 Kirkheaton Con 1.

Milnsbridge BC 6 Almondbury Lib 1, Brockholes A 5 Clayton West 2, Shepley A 1 Lockwood Con 6, Oakfield T&BC 2 Longwood 5, Primrose Hill Lib 3 Paddock I&C 4, Farnley Tyas 6 Thongsbridge B 1.

Skel Windmill 7 Brockholes B 0, Crosland Moor 2 Golcar Lib 5, Holmfirth 6 Greenhead Park 1, Meltham 5 Lindley Lib 2, Hemplow 2 Netherton Con 5, Lindley BC 2 Shepley B 5.